False Colors by Alex Beecroft  
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful book, beautifully written. The historical detail is incredibly rich, but is woven into the story through the character voices so well that it never feels like the author showing off how much research she's done.

The two protagonists are appealing, despite them both being blind and pig-headed at times. I love that the romantic conflict comes from their own weaknesses rather than from external drivers, although there are plenty of external threats to their relationship. What I also loved is that, while there is explicit sex in the book, both characters are overtly seeking love at a time when love was more dangerous than sex between two men.

Although this is most definitely a romance, it is also a great seafaring adventure. As such, it contains graphic descriptions of violence, sickness, and one torture scene that's disturbing--but none of this is done to shock, it's all an essential part of the story and the reality of the world at the time.

This is also a long and satisfying read, which I appreciate as someone who reads a lot and too fast. By the end of the book (which is as sweet and gratifying as the characters deserve) I felt totally immersed in the world Beecroft created and was sad to say goodbye. 

I highly recommend this book! 

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